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Project

Regulation of Food and Beverage Advertising and Marketing in India
 

India
Indonesia
Project ID
108182
Total Funding
CAD 295,000.00
IDRC Officer
Arlyne Beeche
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
24 months

Summary

Foods and beverages rich in salt, sugar, calories, and saturated fats, but deficient in micronutrients, have flooded Indian food markets. Indian consumers are showing an increased preference for them.Read more

Foods and beverages rich in salt, sugar, calories, and saturated fats, but deficient in micronutrients, have flooded Indian food markets. Indian consumers are showing an increased preference for them. This project will help strengthen Indian policies for regulating advertising and marketing of food and beverage products in the country. Increase in non-communicable diseases When coupled with low physical activity and unhealthy lifestyle practices, these unhealthy foods and beverages are increasing the non-communicable disease burden and risk factors such as overweight and obesity. At the same time, there has been a surge in innovative, misleading advertising and marketing that targets minors to promote unhealthy foods and beverages. One recommended strategy to curb the growing obesity epidemic is to restrict advertising and promotion of unhealthy food products targeting youth. While India has food advertising and promotion regulations, implementation is based on self-regulation. This has proven to be an ineffective strategy. Toward healthier lifestyle choices This two-year project will: -analyze and identify policy gaps related to the advertising and promotion of unhealthy foods and beverages to Indian children and adolescents -assess the extent to which Indian adolescents are receptive to food marketing, both in their perceptions and behaviours -provide evidence-based recommendations to make existing regulations more effective The project team will engage stakeholders to ensure that the research recommendations will influence the Government of India's food policy agenda.